The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
Neiman Marcus Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
The luxury department store chain succumbed to its mounting debt and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Dallas—Neiman Marcus Group Ltd. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday amid its struggle with mounting debt coupled with the “unprecedented disruption” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The luxury department store chain said it plans to reorganize and emerge from bankruptcy by the fall.
Neiman Marcus, like so many retailers, temporarily closed its 43 locations in response to the pandemic and furloughed 14,000 workers.
The closures, which include Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Last Call stores, have been extended to May 31 in light of health and safety concerns, said the company, adding that reopenings will not be affected by the bankruptcy proceedings.
The retailer is continuing sales through its e-commerce sites, and is offering curbside pickup at 10 stores, including all stores in Texas, as well as in Tampa, Las Vegas and at its Tysons Corner store in Virginia.
As of Monday, the Atlanta and NorthPark (Dallas) Neiman Marcus stores are available to customers by private appointment.
RELATED CONTENT: So Long: The Big Stores We Bid Farewell to in 2019CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck said in a press release the company was making “solid progress” toward long-term profitability and sustainable growth until COVID-19 hit.
“We are facing unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has placed inexorable pressure on our business.”
The retailer has secured $675 million in debtor-in-possession financing— a type of financing extended to companies in distress that is overseen by the lender and subject to court approval—from its creditors to keep itself afloat through bankruptcy.
Creditors have also agreed to a $750 million financing package to refinance the DIP financing and provide the retailer with additional liquidity.
The bankruptcy filing is expected to eliminate around $4 billion in debt, said the company.
Neiman Marcus said it plans to emerge from bankruptcy in early fall.
It’s the second major retailer to file for bankruptcy recently, joining J. Crew, which went Chapter 11 earlier this week.
The Latest

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.


The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.